Apart from our troubled channel crossings, we had a most lovely weekend in Hamburg. We explored a few places off the beaten track with our expert guide aka our son Philip.
Whilst we waited for him on Friday, we started with a gentle stroll around part of the Alster Lake.
The storm clouds in the picture were clearing, and we didn’t in the event get rained on once.
It was a fine evening as we strolled past the historic boats …
… and the rather curious beach on the Elbe …
… to our restaurant Zum Alten Lotsenhaus, which was a fine choice for dinner.
Today’s special was Zander topped with potato and served on the last asparagus of the season.
Next day we set out on another tour to explore some of the sights that we’d missed on previous visits. And to drink some good coffee, which Hamburg offers in plenty. I’ll let the pictures tell most of the story.
We started at the Flohschanze flea market, a great sprawling area near the old cattle market. After that I badly needed my first shot of strong coffee.
And where better than Deathpresso for a heart-starter?
In the event, Deathpresso was a bit highly roasted for my taste, so I didn’t buy any beans. And we’d been promised a visit to the excellent Speicherstadt Kaffeerosterie, of which more later.
We visited the covered market, spotlessly clean in a very reassuringly German way.
If only we’d been self-catering, I’d have dived in here.
This animated apothecary bear was rather charming.
It wasn’t long before more coffee and brunch were called for. The bakeries in Hamburg are seductive.
Franzbrotchen, a sort of sweeter version of a croissant …
… or Streuselschnecken, a pastry topped with glazed crumble?
Philip introduced us to Mett, raw seasoned pork, served on a roll, and topped with ferocious raw onions.
At another meal we tried Teewurst (at the back in the middle of the plate), which is a cold-smoked cured mixture of raw pork and bacon. Not specially typical of Hamburg, though. This was at the Rheinische Republik restaurant.
And of course we had to indulge in Franzbrotchen (very German Hamburg) and Pasteis de Nata (very Portuguese Hamburg).
We did actually do some walking too.
What a fantastic place to work.
This statue isn’t what you think, but a celebration of the coffee bean.
The black building on the right houses a model of the new Elbphilharmonie, an amazingly technically advanced concert hall that is visible in the background. Recordings are played through the ear trumpets on the wall of the model.
This modern mosaic represents sea creatures.
An antique barge in the harbour houses Harry’s Museum of Curiosities. I liked the viking.
At last, the Speicherstadt Kaffeerosterei, housed in one of the beautifully preserved warehouses.
And where we sat for another cup of delicious coffee.
This time I bought some beans.
I’ll sign off with this very typical scene from a beautiful and endearing city.
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